Vestibular Disability/Handicap in Fibromyalgia: A Questionnaire Study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Vestibular Science

Background:

• Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex central pain disorder with diverse symptoms.
• Emerging evidence suggests a link between fibromyalgia and vestibular dysfunction, including dizziness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of vestibular symptoms in fibromyalgia patients.
• To investigate the relationship between dizziness and clinical/psychological characteristics in FM.

Main Methods:

• Utilized questionnaires including the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and Situational Vertigo Questionnaire (SVQ).
• Assessed 277 fibromyalgia patients and 80 controls for socio-demographic, clinical, and psychological factors.

Main Results:

• Fibromyalgia patients reported significantly higher rates of vestibular symptoms compared to controls.
• Dizziness correlated with FM pain, non-pain symptoms, and negatively impacted psychological status, including mood and social interactions.
• Observed unique dizziness characteristics suggesting an intrinsic mechanism possibly related to migraine and dysautonomia.

Conclusions:

• Dizziness is a prevalent and significant condition in fibromyalgia patients.
• Vestibular dysfunction in FM may be linked to central mechanisms, migraine, and dysautonomia.
• The impact of dizziness on psychological health highlights its role in the fibromyalgia experience, necessitating clinical consideration.